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Indian Women’s Hockey Team Relegated from FIH Pro League After 8 Straight Losses

A detailed look at how the Indian Women’s Hockey Team faced relegation from the FIH Pro League after eight consecutive losses. This analysis breaks down the turning points and what the setback means for the team’s future.

Deepak Singh

02 Jul 2025 — 9 min read

The Indian women’s hockey team battles China in a critical FIH Pro League match.

The Indian women’s hockey team faced relegation from the FIH Pro League after suffering eight consecutive losses, including a 2-3 defeat to China, dropping them to the FIH Nations Cup for the 2025-26 season. This article explores the reasons behind their relegation, key matches, and their path forward in hockey.

Introduction: A Heartbreaking End to a Tough Campaign

Have you ever watched a team fight with all their heart, only to fall short at the final hurdle? That’s the story of the Indian women’s hockey team in the 2024-25 FIH Pro League. After a rollercoaster season, the team suffered a crushing blow with their eighth straight loss, a 2-3 defeat against China, sealing their relegation to the FIH Nations Cup. For fans of Indian hockey, this moment stings, but it’s also a chance to reflect on the journey, learn from setbacks, and look toward a brighter future.

The FIH Pro League is the pinnacle of international hockey, where the world’s best teams battle for supremacy and a shot at World Cup qualification. For India, finishing last in the nine-team table meant relegation—a tough pill to swallow for a team with a proud history. Let’s dive into what happened, why the Indian women’s hockey team faced relegation, and what’s next for this resilient squad.

Why Was the Indian Women’s Hockey Team Relegated from the FIH Pro League?

The Indian women’s hockey team’s relegation from the FIH Pro League was confirmed after a string of disappointing results, culminating in back-to-back losses against China in Berlin. With only 10 points from 16 matches, including just two wins, India finished at the bottom of the points table. This poor performance triggered their drop to the FIH Nations Cup, the second-tier competition, for the 2025-26 season.

Relegation in the FIH Pro League occurs when a team finishes last in the nine-team standings. The stakes are high, as the Pro League offers top teams a direct path to the World Cup. For India, the season was marked by missed opportunities, defensive lapses, and an inability to convert chances into goals, leading to their eventual relegation.

Key Stats:

Matches Played: 16
Wins: 2
Losses: 11
Draws: 3
Points: 10

What Led to India’s Eight Consecutive Losses?

The Indian women’s hockey team entered the European leg of the FIH Pro League with high hopes but struggled to find their rhythm. Under the leadership of captain Salima Tete and coach Harendra Singh, the team faced a grueling schedule against top-tier opponents. Their six-match losing streak before the final double-header against China put them on the brink of relegation.

The losses were often close, showcasing the team’s fighting spirit but highlighting critical weaknesses:

Porous Defense: India conceded multiple goals in key matches, including a 3-0 loss to China on June 28, 2025, due to defensive errors.
Missed Opportunities: Despite creating scoring chances, players like Deepika missed crucial penalty strokes, as seen in the first China match.
Lack of Consistency: The team struggled to maintain momentum, especially in the European leg, where they lost seven out of eight matches.

How Did the China Matches Seal India’s Relegation?

The Indian women’s hockey team faced China in a do-or-die double-header in Berlin on June 28 and 29, 2025. Needing wins to avoid relegation, India fell short in both encounters:

June 28: China 3, India 0
China’s Chen Yang, Zhang Ying, and Yu Anhui scored, capitalizing on India’s defensive lapses. A missed penalty stroke by Deepika summed up a frustrating day for the Indian side. This loss all but confirmed their relegation.
June 29: China 3, India 2
India showed promise by taking an early lead, but China’s Ying Zhang scored twice, and a deflected goal by Xu in the 53rd minute sealed a 2-3 victory. Despite Rutuja’s goal from a penalty corner variation assisted by Navneet Kaur, India couldn’t hold on.

These defeats marked India’s eighth consecutive loss, cementing their last-place finish and relegation from the FIH Pro League.

What Is the FIH Pro League, and Why Does Relegation Matter?

The FIH Pro League is an elite international hockey competition featuring the world’s top nine teams. It serves as a critical platform for teams to:

Compete against the best, like the Netherlands, who dominated the 2024-25 season.
Secure a direct spot in the World Cup (for teams not already qualified).
Gain valuable experience and improve rankings.

Relegation from the FIH Pro League is a significant setback because it removes a team from this high-level competition. For India, dropping to the FIH Nations Cup means fewer opportunities to face top-tier opponents, which is crucial for growth, especially in a World Cup year like 2026.

How Did India Perform in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 Season?

India’s 2024-25 FIH Pro League campaign was a tale of promise and disappointment. Here’s a breakdown:

Early Struggles: The team started with mixed results, managing only two wins in their first 14 matches.
European Leg Collapse: The European leg was particularly tough, with seven losses in eight matches, including a shootout loss to Argentina.
Bright Spots: Players like Rutuja and Navneet Kaur showed flashes of brilliance, with Rutaja scoring in the final match against China.
Final Standing: India finished with 10 points, well behind Germany (13 points) and England (14 points), who avoided relegation.

The team’s inability to convert chances and shore up their defense was a recurring theme, leading to their relegation from the FIH Pro League.

What Are the Consequences of Relegation for Indian Hockey?

Relegation to the FIH Nations Cup has several implications for the Indian women’s hockey team:

Missed Exposure: The Pro League offers regular matches against top teams like the Netherlands and Argentina. The Nations Cup, while competitive, features lower-ranked teams, limiting India’s exposure to elite competition.
World Cup Qualification: With a direct World Cup spot via the Pro League out of reach, India must now focus on the Asia Cup in Hangzhou in September 2025 to secure a 2026 World Cup berth.
Team Morale: Eight straight losses can dent confidence, but captain Salima Tete remains optimistic, emphasizing the team’s fighting spirit.

Can India Bounce Back in the FIH Nations Cup?

The FIH Nations Cup is the second-tier competition, and India has a history of success here. In 2022, they won the inaugural edition, earning promotion to the FIH Pro League for the 2023-24 season, where they finished eighth.

Winning the Nations Cup in 2025-26 is India’s ticket back to the FIH Pro League for 2026-27. The team’s focus will be on:

Strengthening Defense: Addressing the porous defense that plagued their Pro League campaign.
Improving Conversion Rates: Enhancing penalty corner execution and finishing, areas where they faltered against China.
Building Momentum: Using the Asia Cup as a springboard to regain confidence and form.

What Role Did Coaching and Strategy Play in India’s Relegation?

Coach Harendra Singh, who returned to lead the team, faced immense pressure to deliver. Despite enlisting Dutch drag-flicking expert Taeke Taekema to improve penalty corner conversions, the results were underwhelming. Key strategic issues included:

Defensive Lapses: The team struggled to contain opponents during critical moments, as seen in the China matches.
Inconsistent Attack: While the midfield, led by Salima Tete, showed promise, the strikers failed to capitalize on opportunities.
Tactical Adjustments: The team’s inability to adapt mid-game, especially in high-stakes matches, contributed to their losing streak.

Despite these challenges, Hockey India remains supportive, with the focus now shifting to the Asia Cup.

How Do Fans and Experts View India’s Relegation?

The reaction to India’s relegation from the FIH Pro League has been one of disappointment but also hope. Social media posts reflect the sentiment:

“A DISMAL end to India’s FIH Pro League campaign! An 8th consecutive defeat… seals last place and relegation to the FIH Nations Cup next season ” – @India_AllSports
“Every match was a lesson. Every challenge made us better. We will come back stronger. ” – @HockeyIndia

Experts suggest that while relegation is a setback, it’s not the end. The team’s youth and potential, combined with their Nations Cup experience, could pave the way for a quick return to the Pro League.

What’s Next for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team?

With the FIH Pro League behind them, India’s focus shifts to the Asia Cup in Hangzhou in September 2025. A strong performance here is crucial for:

Securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Rebuilding team morale and confidence.
Preparing for the FIH Nations Cup, where a win could mean a return to the Pro League.

The team’s resilience, as highlighted by Hockey India, will be key. “Our Indian Women’s Hockey Team fought with heart… We will come back stronger,” they tweeted.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team Relegated from FIH Pro League After 8 Straight Losses – Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the Indian women’s hockey team relegated from the FIH Pro League?

The Indian women’s hockey team was relegated after finishing last in the 2024-25 FIH Pro League with only 10 points from 16 matches, including eight consecutive losses.

What does relegation mean for Indian hockey?

Relegation means India will compete in the FIH Nations Cup in 2025-26 instead of the FIH Pro League, limiting their exposure to top-tier teams. They must win the Nations Cup to return to the Pro League.

How did India perform against China in the FIH Pro League?

India lost both matches against China: 3-0 on June 28 and 2-3 on June 29, 2025. These losses sealed their relegation from the FIH Pro League.

Can India return to the FIH Pro League?

Yes, by winning the FIH Nations Cup in 2025-26, India can earn promotion back to the FIH Pro League for the 2026-27 season. They previously won the Nations Cup in 2022.

What is the FIH Nations Cup?

The FIH Nations Cup is the second-tier competition below the FIH Pro League. The winner earns promotion to the Pro League. India will compete here in 2025-26 after their relegation.

Who were the key players in India’s FIH Pro League campaign?

Players like Salima Tete, Rutuja, and Navneet Kaur stood out, with Rutuja scoring a crucial goal against China. However, the team struggled with consistency.

What’s next for the Indian women’s hockey team?

The team will focus on the Asia Cup in September 2025 to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and prepare for the FIH Nations Cup to return to the Pro League.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Indian Hockey

The Indian women’s hockey team’s relegation from the FIH Pro League after eight straight losses is a tough setback, but it’s not the end of their story. With a talented squad and a history of resilience, India has the potential to bounce back in the FIH Nations Cup and reclaim their spot among the elite. The focus now shifts to the Asia Cup, where a strong showing could secure a World Cup berth and rebuild momentum.Have you followed the Indian women’s hockey team’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments or check out our related guides on Hockey India’s Future and Preparing for the Asia Cup